Next to Normal is a contemporary musical which explores the trials and tribulations of a seemingly standard suburban household. With stimulating lyrics and an enthusiastic score of more than thirty original songs, Next to Normal examines just how far two parents will go to remain sane while keeping their family’s world together.

Next to Normal centers on what appears to be a typical American family; Dad is an architect, Mom rushes to make breakfast and get the kids off to school, while both daughter and son are intelligent, witty teens. The story also goes under the exterior, dealing with a mother who struggles with her worsening bipolar disorder and how the illness affects her family. Next to Normal also addresses such issues as suburban life, suicide, grieving a loss, drug abuse, and ethics in modern psychiatry.

Next to Normal draws audiences into the minds and hearts of each individual character, while presenting the family’s story with feelings of love and sympathy. Performed on a three-story set, representing their home, school, and doctor’s office, Next to Normal is fast-paced and keeps the audience’s attention from start to finish. The rock and roll music provides intelligent lyrics that get into exactly what each character is feeling. Though the show has moments of deep emotion, do not worry that you are in for a depressing evening – Next to Normal also provides flashes of humor and some element of surprise, delivered through memorable performances by the entire cast.

With the book and lyrics written by Brian Yorkey, and the music composed by Tom Kitt, after having been nominated for a total of eleven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Next to Normal has won 2009 Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Orchestration, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. Before its off-Broadway debut in 2008, the show had already received several workshop performances, while winning the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score and receiving nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Score. Next to Normal then played at the Arena Stage in Crystal City, Virginia from November 2008 to January 2009, before opening on Broadway in April 2009.

While this musical about a mother’s mental illness is most likely too intense for younger children, teens will probably identify with the son and daughter’s struggles in addition to enjoying the energetic score. Whether just for mom and dad, or the whole family if you have older kids, get tickets to come see Next to Normal at the Booth Theatre in New York.